The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1887-10-21
DIR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. ID. c., Oct. 18Th, lsS'


OF the many annual reports now being pie
pared in the several Federal Departments,
perhaps none are OF such gene raj interest as III
that of COMMISSIONS Sparks, of the General
Land Office, which has just been submitted to
the Secretary of the Interior, and which speak
more than mere platform platiiudes Ct the sim
cere desire of the Democl ats to redeem their
pledges to reclaim and restore TO the people
the public dom ain of which Republican RAJ aci-
ty and senalily have wrongiully deprived
them. These vast funds are not confined to
any particular locality but impartially and I'M
blushingly penetrate aud permeate every State
and Territory of the Union, which shall for
MANY wears to come emblazon on the pages of
our country's history the degradation and in
fanny Of the most corrupt alty Of the country.
The report In question shows that since
Murch 4, 1885, 81 ,S24 .4Sl acres have been re-
claimed and thrown open TO honest settlers
The investigation of land entries aiscloses the
startling result that 2,312 eases covering 3d.
900 acres We're condemned to cancellation and
1,l53 entries, covering about 100000 acres
were cancelled for fraud, pure and simple.
Added to tliS crowded cataio gue & crime
its browning clImax-more tlan five thousand
cases have Teen unearthed wherein perjury o.
subornation OF perjury has been committed in
land transactions.
The reports OF several Of bureau officers
especially those of the Land Office and the ZEN
sion Office cali for an increase in The clerical
force-it appearing hat tlese two grand divi-
sions Of the Public service are ouIsiripplng III
rapid and subsi a;liial growth all of the others,
with the possible exception Of the extension OF
the mail service throughout the country.
Considering tie number If important and
interesting cases % be sdinGicated, the October
term Of the Supreme Court of the United States
promises [: be of extraordinary interest. First
in magnitude is trial gf ihe Virginia State Off
Gals imprisoned by United States Judge Bond
for alleged contempt Of court in HE celebrated
scoud,n crusher'' cas-. Is tbs u.lIearI Of
proceeding involves a grave constitutional
question in regard to the relation of State and
National Governments.
Then there ere the FUNGUS Bell telephone
,ases, the case of the PfeIlaF murder at st.
Louis-with strong pro pabiliiy that tie fate
of the Chicago anarchists will also be decided
Among the bills 10 be introduced in Con-
gress next session will lie seven on pension
legislation, prepared under tie aupices OF the
Grand Array CT the Republic, with the purpose
of providing aid tul al :ni3:er4 " 10 saw aetna
service. But if 60 grass >lionl4 be weak
enough to sanction sncl wholesale raid on
the Treasury, President Cleveland viii again
stand like a stone wall between that body Of
designing polticians-wiiIl few honorable
exceptions-~and lhe coyeted Golfers OF great
aud gene rous people.
Another measure that cCnes ;ls3r the people
will be the introduction of a bill providing for
he licensinguf railway engineers and con-
ducto,s, the jet being TO obtain for such
service careful, temperate, and experienced
men and this ssc.Te lie safety Of the passsen
gers.
In tbs connection mag say tia, il is highly
probable that Congress will abolish kerosene
lamps and heating stoves Oh all railroads.&c.
placing these death dealing agencies with elee-
tricity and stealIins apparatus, attached to the
locomotive.
The citizens Of the National Capital fra
making ALI carr tst effort 10 have the next Ma
tional Democratic Convention meet in this
city. The initiative YVES taken by the Column
5ia Democrat c Clnb in behalf Of Washington
and the whole city is seaanding their endeavor
as public meeting will soon be called TO con-
slider tie undertaking. The chief obstacle to
be overcome is the fact that tie city has no
hall large enough to accomodate the conven-
ton, Tut i, is litiosfd to obyiate that hind
rance by tie erection q a large temporary
structure fer tie lmIoSe. Another essential
part Of lie lltsltm will lie tie dining and
winning ard liInizing Ct tie National Demo-
cratic Committee Wien that body meets here
next winter.